Bearer split or fast switch capability indicator

ABSTRACT

Various embodiments disclosed herein provide for facilitating informing a radio access network of the capabilities of a user equipment device with regard to switching and aggregation of streams received from master and secondary base station devices. Different user equipment device may have different capabilities with regard to aggregated and combining streams received from the base station devices (e.g., split bearer) or switching between the streams (fast switching). The embodiments described herein provide a way for the UE to inform the radio access network about the capabilities of the UE device. In an embodiment, in response to receiving a query from the radio access network, the UE can return via a UE resource capability information element, an indicator indicating the capabilities of the UE device. The indicator can be an integer bit that has different values depending on the capabilities of the UE device.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present application relates generally to the field of mobilecommunication and, more specifically, to providing a mechanism to allowUEs to inform the network of split bearer/fast switch capability in awireless communications network.

BACKGROUND

To meet the huge demand for data centric applications, Third GenerationPartnership Project (3GPP) systems and systems that employ one or moreaspects of the specifications of the Fourth Generation (4G) standard forwireless communications will be extended to a Fifth Generation (5G)standard for wireless communications. Unique challenges exist to providelevels of service associated with forthcoming narrowband internet ofthings (IOT) and Category M1 devices on next generation networks.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments of the subject disclosureare described with reference to the following figures, wherein likereference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various viewsunless otherwise specified.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example wireless communication system inaccordance with various aspects and embodiments of the subjectdisclosure.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example block diagram showing a UEEUTRA-capability information element in accordance with various aspectsand embodiments of the subject disclosure.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example block diagram showing defined values foran indicator bit in accordance with various aspects and embodiments ofthe subject disclosure.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example block diagram of a base station device inaccordance with various aspects and embodiments of the subjectdisclosure.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example block diagram of a mobile device inaccordance with various aspects and embodiments of the subjectdisclosure.

FIG. 6 illustrates an example method for a user equipment device toinform a radio access network of the user equipment device capabilitiesin accordance with various aspects and embodiments of the subjectdisclosure.

FIG. 7 illustrates an example method for a base station device todetermine user equipment device capabilities in accordance with variousaspects and embodiments of the subject disclosure.

FIG. 8 illustrates an example method for a base station device todetermine user equipment device capabilities in accordance with variousaspects and embodiments of the subject disclosure.

FIG. 9 illustrates an example block diagram of an example user equipmentthat can be a mobile handset operable to provide a format indicator inaccordance with various aspects and embodiments of the subjectdisclosure.

FIG. 10 illustrates an example block diagram of a computer that can beoperable to execute processes and methods in accordance with variousaspects and embodiments of the subject disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

One or more embodiments are now described with reference to thedrawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to likeelements throughout. In the following description, for purposes ofexplanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to providea thorough understanding of the various embodiments. It is evident,however, that the various embodiments can be practiced without thesespecific details (and without applying to any particular networkedenvironment or standard).

In various embodiments, a mobile device can comprise a processor and amemory that stores executable instructions that, when executed by theprocessor facilitate performance of operations. The operations cancomprise receiving a query from a radio access network device, the queryrequesting information associated with master/secondary cell groupfunctionality of the mobile device. The operations can also comprisetransmitting an indicator that indicates whether split bearerfunctionality or bearer switching functionality is supported.

In another embodiment, method comprises receiving, by a user equipmentdevice comprising a processor, a query from a radio access networkdevice, requesting information associated with secondary cell groupfunctionality of the user equipment device. The method can also comprisetransmitting, by the user equipment device, an indicator that indicateswhether split bearer or fast switching is supported.

In another embodiment machine-readable storage medium, comprisingexecutable instructions that, when executed by a processor of a device,facilitate performance of operations. The operations can comprisetransmitting a query to a user equipment device requesting informationassociated with secondary cell group functionality of the user equipmentdevice. The operations can also comprise receiving an indicator thatindicates whether a split aggregate functionality or a fast switchingfunctionality is supported by the user equipment device.

As used in this disclosure, in some embodiments, the terms “component,”“system” and the like are intended to refer to, or comprise, acomputer-related entity or an entity related to an operational apparatuswith one or more specific functionalities, wherein the entity can beeither hardware, a combination of hardware and software, software, orsoftware in execution. As an example, a component may be, but is notlimited to being, a process running on a processor, a processor, anobject, an executable, a thread of execution, computer-executableinstructions, a program, and/or a computer. By way of illustration andnot limitation, both an application running on a server and the servercan be a component.

One or more components may reside within a process and/or thread ofexecution and a component may be localized on one computer and/ordistributed between two or more computers. In addition, these componentscan execute from various computer readable media having various datastructures stored thereon. The components may communicate via localand/or remote processes such as in accordance with a signal having oneor more data packets (e.g., data from one component interacting withanother component in a local system, distributed system, and/or across anetwork such as the Internet with other systems via the signal). Asanother example, a component can be an apparatus with specificfunctionality provided by mechanical parts operated by electric orelectronic circuitry, which is operated by a software application orfirmware application executed by a processor, wherein the processor canbe internal or external to the apparatus and executes at least a part ofthe software or firmware application. As yet another example, acomponent can be an apparatus that provides specific functionalitythrough electronic components without mechanical parts, the electroniccomponents can comprise a processor therein to execute software orfirmware that confers at least in part the functionality of theelectronic components. While various components have been illustrated asseparate components, it will be appreciated that multiple components canbe implemented as a single component, or a single component can beimplemented as multiple components, without departing from exampleembodiments.

Further, the various embodiments can be implemented as a method,apparatus or article of manufacture using standard programming and/orengineering techniques to produce software, firmware, hardware or anycombination thereof to control a computer to implement the disclosedsubject matter. The term “article of manufacture” as used herein isintended to encompass a computer program accessible from anycomputer-readable (or machine-readable) device or computer-readable (ormachine-readable) storage/communications media. For example, computerreadable storage media can comprise, but are not limited to, magneticstorage devices (e.g., hard disk, floppy disk, magnetic strips), opticaldisks (e.g., compact disk (CD), digital versatile disk (DVD)), smartcards, and flash memory devices (e.g., card, stick, key drive). Ofcourse, those skilled in the art will recognize many modifications canbe made to this configuration without departing from the scope or spiritof the various embodiments.

In addition, the words “example” and “exemplary” are used herein to meanserving as an instance or illustration. Any embodiment or designdescribed herein as “example” or “exemplary” is not necessarily to beconstrued as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments ordesigns. Rather, use of the word example or exemplary is intended topresent concepts in a concrete fashion. As used in this application, theterm “or” is intended to mean an inclusive “or” rather than an exclusive“or”. That is, unless specified otherwise or clear from context, “Xemploys A or B” is intended to mean any of the natural inclusivepermutations. That is, if X employs A; X employs B; or X employs both Aand B, then “X employs A or B” is satisfied under any of the foregoinginstances. In addition, the articles “a” and “an” as used in thisapplication and the appended claims should generally be construed tomean “one or more” unless specified otherwise or clear from context tobe directed to a singular form.

Moreover, terms such as “mobile device equipment,” “mobile station,”“mobile,” subscriber station,” “access terminal,” “terminal,” “handset,”“communication device,” “mobile device” (and/or terms representingsimilar terminology) can refer to a wireless device utilized by asubscriber or mobile device of a wireless communication service toreceive or convey data, control, voice, video, sound, gaming orsubstantially any data-stream or signaling-stream. The foregoing termsare utilized interchangeably herein and with reference to the relateddrawings. Likewise, the terms “access point (AP),” “Base Station (BS),”BS transceiver, BS device, cell site, cell site device, “Node B (NB),”“evolved Node B (eNode B),” “home Node B (HNB)” and the like, areutilized interchangeably in the application, and refer to a wirelessnetwork component or appliance that transmits and/or receives data,control, voice, video, sound, gaming or substantially any data-stream orsignaling-stream from one or more subscriber stations. Data andsignaling streams can be packetized or frame-based flows.

Furthermore, the terms “device,” “communication device,” “mobiledevice,” “subscriber,” “customer entity,” “consumer,” “customer entity,”“entity” and the like are employed interchangeably throughout, unlesscontext warrants particular distinctions among the terms. It should beappreciated that such terms can refer to human entities or automatedcomponents supported through artificial intelligence (e.g., a capacityto make inference based on complex mathematical formalisms), which canprovide simulated vision, sound recognition and so forth.

Embodiments described herein can be exploited in substantially anywireless communication technology, comprising, but not limited to,wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi), global system for mobile communications(GSM), universal mobile telecommunications system (UMTS), worldwideinteroperability for microwave access (WiMAX), enhanced general packetradio service (enhanced GPRS), third generation partnership project(3GPP) long term evolution (LTE), third generation partnership project 2(3GPP2) ultra mobile broadband (UMB), high speed packet access (HSPA),Z-Wave, Zigbee and other 802.XX wireless technologies and/or legacytelecommunication technologies.

Various embodiments disclosed herein provide for facilitating informinga radio access network of the capabilities of a user equipment devicewith regard to switching and aggregation of streams received from masterand secondary base station devices. Since there may be both 4G and 5Gbase station devices (LTE eNB and NR gNB) that can communicate with auser equipment (UE) device, improvements in throughput can be achievedby having both base station devices communicate with the user equipmentdevice. Different user equipment device may have different capabilitieswith regard to aggregated and combining streams received from the basestation devices (e.g., split bearer) or switching between the streams(fast switching). The embodiments described herein provide a way for theUE to inform the radio access network about the capabilities of the UEdevice. In an embodiment, in response to receiving a query from theradio access network, the UE can return via a UE resource capabilityinformation element, an indicator indicating the capabilities of the UEdevice. The indicator can be an integer bit that has different valuesdepending on the capabilities of the UE device.

In an embodiment, a value of 1 can indicate that the UE device iscapable of only fast switching on the downlink and uplink. A value of 2can indicate that the UE device is capable of split/aggregate on thedownlink, and only fast switching on the uplink. A value of 3 canindicate that the UE device is capable of split/aggregate on both thedownlink and uplink. A value of 4 can indicate that the UE device iscapable of only fast switching on the downlink, and split/aggregate onthe uplink. In an embodiment, support for split/aggregate on either thedownlink or the uplink can imply that the UE device is also capable offast switching.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example wireless communication system 100 inaccordance with various aspects and embodiments of the subjectdisclosure. In one or more embodiments, system 100 can comprise one ormore user equipment UEs 104 and 102, which can have one or more antennapanels having vertical and horizontal elements. A UE 102 can be a mobiledevice such as a cellular phone, a smartphone, a tablet computer, awearable device, a virtual reality (VR) device, a heads-up display (HUD)device, a smart car, a machine-type communication (MTC) device, and thelike. User equipment UE 102 can also comprise IOT devices thatcommunicate wirelessly. In various embodiments, system 100 is orcomprises a wireless communication network serviced by one or morewireless communication network providers. In example embodiments, a UE102 can be communicatively coupled to the wireless communication networkvia a network node 106.

The non-limiting term network node (or radio network node) is usedherein to refer to any type of network node serving a UE 102 and UE 104and/or connected to other network node, network element, or anothernetwork node from which the UE 102 or 104 can receive a radio signal.Network nodes can also have multiple antennas for performing varioustransmission operations (e.g., MIMO operations). A network node can havea cabinet and other protected enclosures, an antenna mast, and actualantennas. Network nodes can serve several cells, also called sectors,depending on the configuration and type of antenna. Examples of networknodes (e.g., network node 106) can comprise but are not limited to:NodeB devices, base station (BS) devices, access point (AP) devices, andradio access network (RAN) devices. The network node 106 can alsocomprise multi-standard radio (MSR) radio node devices, including butnot limited to: an MSR BS, an eNode B, a network controller, a radionetwork controller (RNC), a base station controller (BSC), a relay, adonor node controlling relay, a base transceiver station (BTS), atransmission point, a transmission node, an RRU, an RRH, nodes indistributed antenna system (DAS), and the like. In 5G terminology, thenode 106 can be referred to as a gNodeB device.

Wireless communication system 100 can employ various cellulartechnologies and modulation schemes to facilitate wireless radiocommunications between devices (e.g., the UE 102 and 104 and the networknode 106). For example, system 100 can operate in accordance with aUMTS, long term evolution (LTE), high speed packet access (HSPA), codedivision multiple access (CDMA), time division multiple access (TDMA),frequency division multiple access (FDMA), multi-carrier code divisionmultiple access (MC-CDMA), single-carrier code division multiple access(SC-CDMA), single-carrier FDMA (SC-FDMA), OFDM, (DFT)-spread OFDM orSC-FDMA)), FBMC, ZT DFT-s-OFDM, GFDM, UFMC, UW DFT-Spread-OFDM, UW-OFDM,CP-OFDM, resource-block-filtered OFDM, and UFMC. However, variousfeatures and functionalities of system 100 are particularly describedwherein the devices (e.g., the UEs 102 and 104 and the network device106) of system 100 are configured to communicate wireless signals usingone or more multi carrier modulation schemes, wherein data symbols canbe transmitted simultaneously over multiple frequency subcarriers (e.g.,OFDM, CP-OFDM, DFT-spread OFMD, UFMC, FMBC, etc.).

In various embodiments, system 100 can be configured to provide andemploy 5G wireless networking features and functionalities. 5G wirelesscommunication networks are expected to fulfill the demand ofexponentially increasing data traffic and to allow people and machinesto enjoy gigabit data rates with virtually zero latency. Compared to 4G,5G supports more diverse traffic scenarios. For example, in addition tothe various types of data communication between conventional UEs (e.g.,phones, smartphones, tablets, PCs, televisions, Internet enabledtelevisions, etc.) supported by 4G networks, 5G networks can be employedto support data communication between smart cars in association withdriverless car environments, as well as machine type communications(MTCs). Considering the drastic different communication needs of thesedifferent traffic scenarios, the ability to dynamically configurewaveform parameters based on traffic scenarios while retaining thebenefits of multi carrier modulation schemes (e.g., OFDM and relatedschemes) can provide a significant contribution to the highspeed/capacity and low latency demands of 5G networks. With waveformsthat split the bandwidth into several sub-bands, different types ofservices can be accommodated in different sub-bands with the mostsuitable waveform and numerology, leading to an improved spectrumutilization for 5G networks.

The network node can also enable narrow band networks includingnarrowband (NB) IOT networks, and 3GPP Category M1 networks and devices.In various embodiments, UE 102 and 104 can also be devices other thanmobile devices, such as wearable devices, embedded devices intelevisions, water meters, refrigerators, and other home appliances andindustrial systems, sensors, and any other devices that are lowthroughput and low latency devices.

In an embodiment, a second network node, network node 108 can beprovided as a secondary cell group base station device for UE 104. In anembodiment, both network node 106 and network node 108 can facilitatecommunications with UE 104 (e.g., split bearer), but there can beseveral differences in how the streams are handled. In a firstembodiment, UE 104 can aggregate packets received from data streamsassociated with both network nodes 106 and 108. This method can becalled split/aggregate. In link aggregation: The main purpose of linkaggregation is to increase throughput. The two legs (connections withnodes 106 and 108) are both active at a given time and used to senddifferent packets.

The other embodiment is fast switching where the main purpose ofsupporting link switching is to select the best link for packettransmission based on a criteria, e.g. based on statistics of linkperformance. In link switching, only one leg is active at a given timeduration (e.g., either the data stream from network node 106 or networknode 108) although two RLC (radio link control) channels areestablished. One most intuitive use case for link switching is in EN-DCarchitecture, the LTE link may be used as backup of the NR (5G) link.

In LTE, UL split bearer is generally designed to support linkaggregation although other cases are not excluded. The threshold-basedUL split bearer data volume calculation is a good example of linkaggregation-centric design.

In NR, depending on the use cases, link switching may be sufficient tosupport most eMBB applications. For example, in EN-DC architecture, theNR SCG may have large bandwidth, e.g. 800 MHz. In this case, the NR SCGthroughput is sufficient to support eMBB service requirements. LTE MCGmay be useful as a backup link for data recovery when NR SCG experiencesa blockage. In addition, the UE in field is often in uplink powerlimited scenario. With the potential large uplink data transmissions inNR SCG, the UE may be better served by focusing its uplink power on oneuplink transmission at a time, and especially if one uplink requiresvery high transmit power to reach the base station. This disclosureprovides a mechanism to allow the UE to inform the radio access network(e.g., network nodes 106 and 108) of the capabilities of the UE device.

Turning now to FIG. 2, illustrated is an example block diagram 200showing a UE EUTRA-capability information element in accordance withvarious aspects and embodiments of the subject disclosure.

In an embodiment, in response to the radio access network, via the basestation device, sending a query asking about the UE device capabilities,the UE device can return a UE EUTRA-capability information element 202that among other capabilities, has an entry associated with secondarycell group bearer split indicator 204 indicating the capabilities of theUE device. The indicator bit can be an integer 206 where various valuesindicate whether the UE is capable of fast switch vs split/aggregatetechniques.

Fast switch can be preferable at times as improve simplicity and reducesthe UE buffering requirements (PDCP (packet data convergence protocol)re-ordering). It is important for the RAN and UE to both know whatimplementation of bearer/split aggregation or fast switching will besupported on a UE. The indicator bit can indicate whether thesplit/aggregate method or the fast switch method is supported on uplinktransmissions, downlink transmissions, or both.

Turning now to FIG. 3, illustrated is an example block diagram 300showing defined values for an indicator bit in accordance with variousaspects and embodiments of the subject disclosure. TheSCGBearerSplitIndicator 302 field has a variety of defined values 304shown in FIG. 3.

In an embodiment, an integer of 1 can indicate that fast switch only issupported on both the downlink and the uplink channels. An integer of 2can indicate that the downlink supports the split aggregate method,while the uplink channel only supports fast switch. An integer of 3 canindicate the both the downlink channel and the uplink channel supportsplit/aggregate, while an integer of 4 can indicate that the downlinkchannel supports fast switch only, while the uplink channel can supportsplit/aggregate. Integers 5-7 can be reserved for future use.

It is to be appreciated that these numbers are merely representative,and that in other embodiments, different value can be used to representthe capabilities of the UE device. It is also to be appreciated that inan embodiment, if the downlink and/or uplink channel supportssplit/aggregate, it can also support fast switch, while the reverse maynot be true (e.g., if the uplink or downlink channel supports fastswitch only, then the split aggregate technique may not be supported).

Turning now to FIG. 4, illustrated is an example diagram 400 of a basestation device 402 in accordance with various aspects and embodiments ofthe subject disclosure.

The base station device 402 can include a query component 404 that sendsa query to a user equipment device to determine what the capabilities ofthe user equipment are with regard to split bearer methods. The querycomponent 404 can send the query during registration of the user deviceon a network, or during a radio resource control channel signalingperiod.

A SCG component 406 can receive the UE EUTRA capability informationelement from the user equipment device and determine which integer isset in the indicator bit associated with the SCGBearerSplitIndicatorelement. The SCG component 406 can then inform the radio access networkabout which method, either split/aggregate or fast switch to use withthe user equipment device based on the integer value. In an embodiment,the information about the capabilities can be stored on the mobilenetwork or at a base station device, and retrieved whenever the deviceattaches to the network. In other embodiments, each time the deviceattaches and/or registers on the network, or periodically (e.g., everyhour, day, week, etc) the base station device 402 can query the userequipment about the capabilities.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example block diagram 500 of a mobile device 502in accordance with various aspects and embodiments of the subjectdisclosure.

A transceiver component 504 can be provided to receive a query from thebase station device, and the SCG component 506 on the mobile device canprovide the information by setting the indicator bit to whatever integerrepresents the capabilities of the mobile device 502 with regard tosplit/aggregate and/or fast switch methods.

FIGS. 6-8 illustrates a process in connection with the aforementionedsystems. The process in FIGS. 6-8 can be implemented for example by thesystems in FIGS. 1-5 respectively. While for purposes of simplicity ofexplanation, the methods are shown and described as a series of blocks,it is to be understood and appreciated that the claimed subject matteris not limited by the order of the blocks, as some blocks may occur indifferent orders and/or concurrently with other blocks from what isdepicted and described herein. Moreover, not all illustrated blocks maybe required to implement the methods described hereinafter.

FIG. 6 illustrates an example method 600 for a user equipment device toinform a radio access network of the user equipment device capabilitiesin accordance with various aspects and embodiments of the subjectdisclosure.

At 602, the method can include receiving, by a user equipment devicecomprising a processor, a query from a radio access network device,requesting information associated with secondary cell groupfunctionality of the user equipment device.

At 604, the method can include transmitting, by the user equipmentdevice, an indicator that indicates whether split bearer or fastswitching is supported. The indicator bit can be an integer, wherein afirst value of the integer bit indicates that split bearer is supportedin an uplink transmission and fast switch is supported in a downlinktransmission, a second value of the integer bit indicates that splitbearer is supported in the downlink transmission and fast switch issupported in the uplink transmission, a third value of the integer bitindicates that split bearer is supported in both the uplink transmissionand the downlink transmission, a fourth value of the integer bitindicates that fast switch is supported in both the uplink transmissionand the downlink transmission, and a fifth value of the integer bitindicates that fast switch and split bearer both supported in both theuplink transmission and the downlink transmission.

FIG. 7 illustrates an example method 700 for a base station device todetermine user equipment device capabilities in accordance with variousaspects and embodiments of the subject disclosure.

Method 700 can begin at 702 wherein the method includes transmitting aquery to a user equipment device requesting information associated withsecondary cell group functionality of the user equipment device.

At 704, the method can include receiving an indicator that indicateswhether a split aggregate functionality or a fast switchingfunctionality is supported by the user equipment device.

FIG. 8 illustrates an example method 800 for a base station device todetermine user equipment device capabilities in accordance with variousaspects and embodiments of the subject disclosure.

At 802, the method can include transmitting the query via radio resourcecontrol signaling.

At 804, the method can receiving the indicator via user equipmentcapability information received from the user equipment device duringradio resource control signaling.

Referring now to FIG. 9, illustrated is a schematic block diagram of anexample end-user device such as a user equipment) that can be a mobiledevice 900 capable of connecting to a network in accordance with someembodiments described herein. Although a mobile handset 900 isillustrated herein, it will be understood that other devices can be amobile device, and that the mobile handset 900 is merely illustrated toprovide context for the embodiments of the various embodiments describedherein. The following discussion is intended to provide a brief, generaldescription of an example of a suitable environment 900 in which thevarious embodiments can be implemented. While the description includes ageneral context of computer-executable instructions embodied on amachine-readable storage medium, those skilled in the art will recognizethat the various embodiments also can be implemented in combination withother program modules and/or as a combination of hardware and software.

Generally, applications (e.g., program modules) can include routines,programs, components, data structures, etc., that perform particulartasks or implement particular abstract data types. Moreover, thoseskilled in the art will appreciate that the methods described herein canbe practiced with other system configurations, includingsingle-processor or multiprocessor systems, minicomputers, mainframecomputers, as well as personal computers, hand-held computing devices,microprocessor-based or programmable consumer electronics, and the like,each of which can be operatively coupled to one or more associateddevices.

A computing device can typically include a variety of machine-readablemedia. Machine-readable media can be any available media that can beaccessed by the computer and includes both volatile and non-volatilemedia, removable and non-removable media. By way of example and notlimitation, computer-readable media can comprise computer storage mediaand communication media. Computer storage media can include volatileand/or non-volatile media, removable and/or non-removable mediaimplemented in any method or technology for storage of information, suchas computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules orother data. Computer storage media can include, but is not limited to,RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other memory technology, CD ROM,digital video disk (DVD) or other optical disk storage, magneticcassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magneticstorage devices, or any other medium which can be used to store thedesired information and which can be accessed by the computer.

Communication media typically embodies computer-readable instructions,data structures, program modules or other data in a modulated datasignal such as a carrier wave or other transport mechanism, and includesany information delivery media. The term “modulated data signal” means asignal that has one or more of its characteristics set or changed insuch a manner as to encode information in the signal. By way of example,and not limitation, communication media includes wired media such as awired network or direct-wired connection, and wireless media such asacoustic, RF, infrared and other wireless media. Combinations of the anyof the above should also be included within the scope ofcomputer-readable media.

The handset 900 includes a processor 902 for controlling and processingall onboard operations and functions. A memory 904 interfaces to theprocessor 902 for storage of data and one or more applications 906(e.g., a video player software, user feedback component software, etc.).Other applications can include voice recognition of predetermined voicecommands that facilitate initiation of the user feedback signals. Theapplications 906 can be stored in the memory 904 and/or in a firmware908, and executed by the processor 902 from either or both the memory904 or/and the firmware 908. The firmware 908 can also store startupcode for execution in initializing the handset 900. A communicationscomponent 910 interfaces to the processor 902 to facilitatewired/wireless communication with external systems, e.g., cellularnetworks, VoIP networks, and so on. Here, the communications component910 can also include a suitable cellular transceiver 911 (e.g., a GSMtransceiver) and/or an unlicensed transceiver 913 (e.g., Wi-Fi, WiMax)for corresponding signal communications. The handset 900 can be a devicesuch as a cellular telephone, a PDA with mobile communicationscapabilities, and messaging-centric devices. The communicationscomponent 910 also facilitates communications reception from terrestrialradio networks (e.g., broadcast), digital satellite radio networks, andInternet-based radio services networks.

The handset 900 includes a display 912 for displaying text, images,video, telephony functions (e.g., a Caller ID function), setupfunctions, and for user input. For example, the display 912 can also bereferred to as a “screen” that can accommodate the presentation ofmultimedia content (e.g., music metadata, messages, wallpaper, graphics,etc.). The display 912 can also display videos and can facilitate thegeneration, editing and sharing of video quotes. A serial I/O interface914 is provided in communication with the processor 902 to facilitatewired and/or wireless serial communications (e.g., USB, and/or IEEE1394) through a hardwire connection, and other serial input devices(e.g., a keyboard, keypad, and mouse). This supports updating andtroubleshooting the handset 900, for example. Audio capabilities areprovided with an audio I/O component 916, which can include a speakerfor the output of audio signals related to, for example, indication thatthe user pressed the proper key or key combination to initiate the userfeedback signal. The audio I/O component 916 also facilitates the inputof audio signals through a microphone to record data and/or telephonyvoice data, and for inputting voice signals for telephone conversations.

The handset 900 can include a slot interface 918 for accommodating a SIC(Subscriber Identity Component) in the form factor of a card SubscriberIdentity Module (SIM) or universal SIM 920, and interfacing the SIM card920 with the processor 902. However, it is to be appreciated that theSIM card 920 can be manufactured into the handset 900, and updated bydownloading data and software.

The handset 900 can process IP data traffic through the communicationcomponent 910 to accommodate IP traffic from an IP network such as, forexample, the Internet, a corporate intranet, a home network, a personarea network, etc., through an ISP or broadband cable provider. Thus,VoIP traffic can be utilized by the handset 800 and IP-based multimediacontent can be received in either an encoded or decoded format.

A video processing component 922 (e.g., a camera) can be provided fordecoding encoded multimedia content. The video processing component 922can aid in facilitating the generation, editing and sharing of videoquotes. The handset 900 also includes a power source 924 in the form ofbatteries and/or an AC power subsystem, which power source 924 caninterface to an external power system or charging equipment (not shown)by a power I/O component 926.

The handset 900 can also include a video component 930 for processingvideo content received and, for recording and transmitting videocontent. For example, the video component 930 can facilitate thegeneration, editing and sharing of video quotes. A location trackingcomponent 932 facilitates geographically locating the handset 900. Asdescribed hereinabove, this can occur when the user initiates thefeedback signal automatically or manually. A user input component 934facilitates the user initiating the quality feedback signal. The userinput component 934 can also facilitate the generation, editing andsharing of video quotes. The user input component 934 can include suchconventional input device technologies such as a keypad, keyboard,mouse, stylus pen, and/or touch screen, for example.

Referring again to the applications 906, a hysteresis component 936facilitates the analysis and processing of hysteresis data, which isutilized to determine when to associate with the access point. Asoftware trigger component 938 can be provided that facilitatestriggering of the hysteresis component 938 when the Wi-Fi transceiver913 detects the beacon of the access point. A SIP client 940 enables thehandset 900 to support SIP protocols and register the subscriber withthe SIP registrar server. The applications 906 can also include a client942 that provides at least the capability of discovery, play and storeof multimedia content, for example, music.

The handset 900, as indicated above related to the communicationscomponent 810, includes an indoor network radio transceiver 913 (e.g.,Wi-Fi transceiver). This function supports the indoor radio link, suchas IEEE 802.11, for the dual-mode GSM handset 900. The handset 900 canaccommodate at least satellite radio services through a handset that cancombine wireless voice and digital radio chipsets into a single handhelddevice.

Referring now to FIG. 10, there is illustrated a block diagram of acomputer 1000 operable to execute the functions and operations performedin the described example embodiments. For example, a network node (e.g.,network node 406) may contain components as described in FIG. 10. Thecomputer 1000 can provide networking and communication capabilitiesbetween a wired or wireless communication network and a server and/orcommunication device. In order to provide additional context for variousaspects thereof, FIG. 10 and the following discussion are intended toprovide a brief, general description of a suitable computing environmentin which the various aspects of the embodiments can be implemented tofacilitate the establishment of a transaction between an entity and athird party. While the description above is in the general context ofcomputer-executable instructions that can run on one or more computers,those skilled in the art will recognize that the various embodimentsalso can be implemented in combination with other program modules and/oras a combination of hardware and software.

Generally, program modules include routines, programs, components, datastructures, etc., that perform particular tasks or implement particularabstract data types. Moreover, those skilled in the art will appreciatethat the inventive methods can be practiced with other computer systemconfigurations, including single-processor or multiprocessor computersystems, minicomputers, mainframe computers, as well as personalcomputers, hand-held computing devices, microprocessor-based orprogrammable consumer electronics, and the like, each of which can beoperatively coupled to one or more associated devices.

The illustrated aspects of the various embodiments can also be practicedin distributed computing environments where certain tasks are performedby remote processing devices that are linked through a communicationsnetwork. In a distributed computing environment, program modules can belocated in both local and remote memory storage devices.

Computing devices typically include a variety of media, which caninclude computer-readable storage media or communications media, whichtwo terms are used herein differently from one another as follows.

Computer-readable storage media can be any available storage media thatcan be accessed by the computer and includes both volatile andnonvolatile media, removable and non-removable media. By way of example,and not limitation, computer-readable storage media can be implementedin connection with any method or technology for storage of informationsuch as computer-readable instructions, program modules, structureddata, or unstructured data. Computer-readable storage media can include,but are not limited to, RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other memorytechnology, CD-ROM, digital versatile disk (DVD) or other optical diskstorage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage orother magnetic storage devices, or other tangible and/or non-transitorymedia which can be used to store desired information. Computer-readablestorage media can be accessed by one or more local or remote computingdevices, e.g., via access requests, queries or other data retrievalprotocols, for a variety of operations with respect to the informationstored by the medium.

Communications media can embody computer-readable instructions, datastructures, program modules or other structured or unstructured data ina data signal such as a modulated data signal, e.g., a carrier wave orother transport mechanism, and includes any information delivery ortransport media. The term “modulated data signal” or signals refers to asignal that has one or more of its characteristics set or changed insuch a manner as to encode information in one or more signals. By way ofexample, and not limitation, communication media include wired media,such as a wired network or direct-wired connection, and wireless mediasuch as acoustic, RF, infrared and other wireless media.

With reference to FIG. 10, implementing various aspects described hereinwith regards to the end-user device can include a computer 1000, thecomputer 1000 including a processing unit 1004, a system memory 1006 anda system bus 1008. The system bus 1008 couples system componentsincluding, but not limited to, the system memory 1006 to the processingunit 1004. The processing unit 1004 can be any of various commerciallyavailable processors. Dual microprocessors and other multi-processorarchitectures can also be employed as the processing unit 1004.

The system bus 1008 can be any of several types of bus structure thatcan further interconnect to a memory bus (with or without a memorycontroller), a peripheral bus, and a local bus using any of a variety ofcommercially available bus architectures. The system memory 1006includes read-only memory (ROM) 1027 and random access memory (RAM)1012. A basic input/output system (BIOS) is stored in a non-volatilememory 1027 such as ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, which BIOS contains the basicroutines that help to transfer information between elements within thecomputer 1000, such as during start-up. The RAM 1012 can also include ahigh-speed RAM such as static RAM for caching data.

The computer 1000 further includes an internal hard disk drive (HDD)1014 (e.g., EIDE, SATA), which internal hard disk drive 1014 can also beconfigured for external use in a suitable chassis (not shown), amagnetic floppy disk drive (FDD) 1016, (e.g., to read from or write to aremovable diskette 1018) and an optical disk drive 1020, (e.g., readinga CD-ROM disk 1022 or, to read from or write to other high capacityoptical media such as the DVD). The hard disk drive 1014, magnetic diskdrive 1016 and optical disk drive 1020 can be connected to the systembus 1008 by a hard disk drive interface 1024, a magnetic disk driveinterface 1026 and an optical drive interface 1028, respectively. Theinterface 1024 for external drive implementations includes at least oneor both of Universal Serial Bus (USB) and IEEE 1394 interfacetechnologies. Other external drive connection technologies are withincontemplation of the subject embodiments.

The drives and their associated computer-readable media providenonvolatile storage of data, data structures, computer-executableinstructions, and so forth. For the computer 1000 the drives and mediaaccommodate the storage of any data in a suitable digital format.Although the description of computer-readable media above refers to aHDD, a removable magnetic diskette, and a removable optical media suchas a CD or DVD, it should be appreciated by those skilled in the artthat other types of media which are readable by a computer 1000, such aszip drives, magnetic cassettes, flash memory cards, cartridges, and thelike, can also be used in the example operating environment, andfurther, that any such media can contain computer-executableinstructions for performing the methods of the disclosed embodiments.

A number of program modules can be stored in the drives and RAM 1012,including an operating system 1030, one or more application programs1032, other program modules 1034 and program data 1036. All or portionsof the operating system, applications, modules, and/or data can also becached in the RAM 1012. It is to be appreciated that the variousembodiments can be implemented with various commercially availableoperating systems or combinations of operating systems.

A user can enter commands and information into the computer 1000 throughone or more wired/wireless input devices, e.g., a keyboard 1038 and apointing device, such as a mouse 1040. Other input devices (not shown)may include a microphone, an IR remote control, a joystick, a game pad,a stylus pen, touch screen, or the like. These and other input devicesare often connected to the processing unit 1004 through an input deviceinterface 1042 that is coupled to the system bus 1008, but can beconnected by other interfaces, such as a parallel port, an IEEE 1394serial port, a game port, a USB port, an IR interface, etc.

A monitor 1044 or other type of display device is also connected to thesystem bus 1008 through an interface, such as a video adapter 1046. Inaddition to the monitor 1044, a computer 1000 typically includes otherperipheral output devices (not shown), such as speakers, printers, etc.

The computer 1000 can operate in a networked environment using logicalconnections by wired and/or wireless communications to one or moreremote computers, such as a remote computer(s) 1048. The remotecomputer(s) 1048 can be a workstation, a server computer, a router, apersonal computer, portable computer, microprocessor-based entertainmentdevice, a peer device or other common network node, and typicallyincludes many or all of the elements described relative to the computer,although, for purposes of brevity, only a memory/storage device 1050 isillustrated. The logical connections depicted include wired/wirelessconnectivity to a local area network (LAN) 1052 and/or larger networks,e.g., a wide area network (WAN) 1054. Such LAN and WAN networkingenvironments are commonplace in offices and companies, and facilitateenterprise-wide computer networks, such as intranets, all of which mayconnect to a global communications network, e.g., the Internet.

When used in a LAN networking environment, the computer 1000 isconnected to the local network 1052 through a wired and/or wirelesscommunication network interface or adapter 1056. The adapter 1056 mayfacilitate wired or wireless communication to the LAN 1052, which mayalso include a wireless access point disposed thereon for communicatingwith the wireless adapter 1056.

When used in a WAN networking environment, the computer 1000 can includea modem 1058, or is connected to a communications server on the WAN1054, or has other means for establishing communications over the WAN1054, such as by way of the Internet. The modem 1058, which can beinternal or external and a wired or wireless device, is connected to thesystem bus 1008 through the input device interface 1042. In a networkedenvironment, program modules depicted relative to the computer, orportions thereof, can be stored in the remote memory/storage device1050. It will be appreciated that the network connections shown areexemplary and other means of establishing a communications link betweenthe computers can be used.

The computer is operable to communicate with any wireless devices orentities operatively disposed in wireless communication, e.g., aprinter, scanner, desktop and/or portable computer, portable dataassistant, communications satellite, any piece of equipment or locationassociated with a wirelessly detectable tag (e.g., a kiosk, news stand,restroom), and telephone. This includes at least Wi-Fi and Bluetooth™wireless technologies. Thus, the communication can be a predefinedstructure as with a conventional network or simply an ad hoccommunication between at least two devices.

Wi-Fi, or Wireless Fidelity, allows connection to the Internet from acouch at home, a bed in a hotel room, or a conference room at work,without wires. Wi-Fi is a wireless technology similar to that used in acell phone that enables such devices, e.g., computers, to send andreceive data indoors and out; anywhere within the range of a basestation. Wi-Fi networks use radio technologies called IEEE802.11 (a, b,g, n, etc.) to provide secure, reliable, fast wireless connectivity. AWi-Fi network can be used to connect computers to each other, to theInternet, and to wired networks (which use IEEE802.3 or Ethernet). Wi-Finetworks operate in the unlicensed 2.4 and 5 GHz radio bands, at an 11Mbps (802.11b) or 54 Mbps (802.11a) data rate, for example, or withproducts that contain both bands (dual band), so the networks canprovide real-world performance similar to the basic “10BaseT” wiredEthernet networks used in many offices.

As used in this application, the terms “system,” “component,”“interface,” and the like are generally intended to refer to acomputer-related entity or an entity related to an operational machinewith one or more specific functionalities. The entities disclosed hereincan be either hardware, a combination of hardware and software,software, or software in execution. For example, a component may be, butis not limited to being, a process running on a processor, a processor,an object, an executable, a thread of execution, a program, and/or acomputer. By way of illustration, both an application running on aserver and the server can be a component. One or more components mayreside within a process and/or thread of execution and a component maybe localized on one computer and/or distributed between two or morecomputers. These components also can execute from various computerreadable storage media having various data structures stored thereon.The components may communicate via local and/or remote processes such asin accordance with a signal having one or more data packets (e.g., datafrom one component interacting with another component in a local system,distributed system, and/or across a network such as the Internet withother systems via the signal). As another example, a component can be anapparatus with specific functionality provided by mechanical partsoperated by electric or electronic circuitry that is operated bysoftware or firmware application(s) executed by a processor, wherein theprocessor can be internal or external to the apparatus and executes atleast a part of the software or firmware application. As yet anotherexample, a component can be an apparatus that provides specificfunctionality through electronic components without mechanical parts,the electronic components can comprise a processor therein to executesoftware or firmware that confers at least in part the functionality ofthe electronic components. An interface can comprise input/output (I/O)components as well as associated processor, application, and/or APIcomponents.

Furthermore, the disclosed subject matter may be implemented as amethod, apparatus, or article of manufacture using standard programmingand/or engineering techniques to produce software, firmware, hardware,or any combination thereof to control a computer to implement thedisclosed subject matter. The term “article of manufacture” as usedherein is intended to encompass a computer program accessible from anycomputer-readable device, computer-readable carrier, orcomputer-readable media. For example, computer-readable media caninclude, but are not limited to, a magnetic storage device, e.g., harddisk; floppy disk; magnetic strip(s); an optical disk (e.g., compactdisk (CD), a digital video disc (DVD), a Blu-ray Disc™ (BD)); a smartcard; a flash memory device (e.g., card, stick, key drive); and/or avirtual device that emulates a storage device and/or any of the abovecomputer-readable media.

As it employed in the subject specification, the term “processor” canrefer to substantially any computing processing unit or devicecomprising, but not limited to comprising, single-core processors;single-processors with software multithread execution capability;multi-core processors; multi-core processors with software multithreadexecution capability; multi-core processors with hardware multithreadtechnology; parallel platforms; and parallel platforms with distributedshared memory. Additionally, a processor can refer to an integratedcircuit, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a digitalsignal processor (DSP), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), aprogrammable logic controller (PLC), a complex programmable logic device(CPLD), a discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardwarecomponents, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functionsdescribed herein. Processors can exploit nano-scale architectures suchas, but not limited to, molecular and quantum-dot based transistors,switches and gates, in order to optimize space usage or enhanceperformance of user equipment. A processor also can be implemented as acombination of computing processing units.

In the subject specification, terms such as “store,” “data store,” “datastorage,” “database,” “repository,” “queue”, and substantially any otherinformation storage component relevant to operation and functionality ofa component, refer to “memory components,” or entities embodied in a“memory” or components comprising the memory. It will be appreciatedthat the memory components described herein can be either volatilememory or nonvolatile memory, or can comprise both volatile andnonvolatile memory. In addition, memory components or memory elementscan be removable or stationary. Moreover, memory can be internal orexternal to a device or component, or removable or stationary. Memorycan comprise various types of media that are readable by a computer,such as hard-disc drives, zip drives, magnetic cassettes, flash memorycards or other types of memory cards, cartridges, or the like.

By way of illustration, and not limitation, nonvolatile memory cancomprise read only memory (ROM), programmable ROM (PROM), electricallyprogrammable ROM (EPROM), electrically erasable ROM (EEPROM), or flashmemory. Volatile memory can comprise random access memory (RAM), whichacts as external cache memory. By way of illustration and notlimitation, RAM is available in many forms such as synchronous RAM(SRAM), dynamic RAM (DRAM), synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), double data rateSDRAM (DDR SDRAM), enhanced SDRAM (ESDRAM), Synchlink DRAM (SLDRAM), anddirect Rambus RAM (DRRAM). Additionally, the disclosed memory componentsof systems or methods herein are intended to comprise, without beinglimited to comprising, these and any other suitable types of memory.

In particular and in regard to the various functions performed by theabove described components, devices, circuits, systems and the like, theterms (including a reference to a “means”) used to describe suchcomponents are intended to correspond, unless otherwise indicated, toany component which performs the specified function of the describedcomponent (e.g., a functional equivalent), even though not structurallyequivalent to the disclosed structure, which performs the function inthe herein illustrated example aspects of the embodiments. In thisregard, it will also be recognized that the embodiments comprises asystem as well as a computer-readable medium having computer-executableinstructions for performing the acts and/or events of the variousmethods.

Computing devices typically comprise a variety of media, which cancomprise computer-readable storage media and/or communications media,which two terms are used herein differently from one another as follows.Computer-readable storage media can be any available storage media thatcan be accessed by the computer and comprises both volatile andnonvolatile media, removable and non-removable media. By way of example,and not limitation, computer-readable storage media can be implementedin connection with any method or technology for storage of informationsuch as computer-readable instructions, program modules, structureddata, or unstructured data.

Computer-readable storage media can include, but are not limited to,random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), electricallyerasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM), flash memory or othermemory technology, solid state drive (SSD) or other solid-state storagetechnology, compact disk read only memory (CD ROM), digital versatiledisk (DVD), Blu-ray disc or other optical disk storage, magneticcassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magneticstorage devices or other tangible and/or non-transitory media which canbe used to store desired information.

In this regard, the terms “tangible” or “non-transitory” herein asapplied to storage, memory or computer-readable media, are to beunderstood to exclude only propagating transitory signals per se asmodifiers and do not relinquish rights to all standard storage, memoryor computer-readable media that are not only propagating transitorysignals per se. Computer-readable storage media can be accessed by oneor more local or remote computing devices, e.g., via access requests,queries or other data retrieval protocols, for a variety of operationswith respect to the information stored by the medium.

On the other hand, communications media typically embodycomputer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules orother structured or unstructured data in a data signal such as amodulated data signal, e.g., a carrier wave or other transportmechanism, and comprises any information delivery or transport media.The term “modulated data signal” or signals refers to a signal that hasone or more of its characteristics set or changed in such a manner as toencode information in one or more signals. By way of example, and notlimitation, communications media comprise wired media, such as a wirednetwork or direct-wired connection, and wireless media such as acoustic,RF, infrared and other wireless media

Further, terms like “user equipment,” “user device,” “mobile device,”“mobile,” station,” “access terminal,” “terminal,” “handset,” andsimilar terminology, generally refer to a wireless device utilized by asubscriber or user of a wireless communication network or service toreceive or convey data, control, voice, video, sound, gaming, orsubstantially any data-stream or signaling-stream. The foregoing termsare utilized interchangeably in the subject specification and relateddrawings. Likewise, the terms “access point,” “node B,” “base station,”“evolved Node B,” “cell,” “cell site,” and the like, can be utilizedinterchangeably in the subject application, and refer to a wirelessnetwork component or appliance that serves and receives data, control,voice, video, sound, gaming, or substantially any data-stream orsignaling-stream from a set of subscriber stations. Data and signalingstreams can be packetized or frame-based flows. It is noted that in thesubject specification and drawings, context or explicit distinctionprovides differentiation with respect to access points or base stationsthat serve and receive data from a mobile device in an outdoorenvironment, and access points or base stations that operate in aconfined, primarily indoor environment overlaid in an outdoor coveragearea. Data and signaling streams can be packetized or frame-based flows.

Furthermore, the terms “user,” “subscriber,” “customer,” “consumer,” andthe like are employed interchangeably throughout the subjectspecification, unless context warrants particular distinction(s) amongthe terms. It should be appreciated that such terms can refer to humanentities, associated devices, or automated components supported throughartificial intelligence (e.g., a capacity to make inference based oncomplex mathematical formalisms) which can provide simulated vision,sound recognition and so forth. In addition, the terms “wirelessnetwork” and “network” are used interchangeable in the subjectapplication, when context wherein the term is utilized warrantsdistinction for clarity purposes such distinction is made explicit.

Moreover, the word “exemplary” is used herein to mean serving as anexample, instance, or illustration. Any aspect or design describedherein as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred oradvantageous over other aspects or designs. Rather, use of the wordexemplary is intended to present concepts in a concrete fashion. As usedin this application, the term “or” is intended to mean an inclusive “or”rather than an exclusive “or”. That is, unless specified otherwise, orclear from context, “X employs A or B” is intended to mean any of thenatural inclusive permutations. That is, if X employs A; X employs B; orX employs both A and B, then “X employs A or B” is satisfied under anyof the foregoing instances. In addition, the articles “a” and “an” asused in this application and the appended claims should generally beconstrued to mean “one or more” unless specified otherwise or clear fromcontext to be directed to a singular form.

In addition, while a particular feature may have been disclosed withrespect to only one of several implementations, such feature may becombined with one or more other features of the other implementations asmay be desired and advantageous for any given or particular application.Furthermore, to the extent that the terms “includes” and “including” andvariants thereof are used in either the detailed description or theclaims, these terms are intended to be inclusive in a manner similar tothe term “comprising.”

The above descriptions of various embodiments of the subject disclosureand corresponding figures and what is described in the Abstract, aredescribed herein for illustrative purposes, and are not intended to beexhaustive or to limit the disclosed embodiments to the precise formsdisclosed. It is to be understood that one of ordinary skill in the artmay recognize that other embodiments having modifications, permutations,combinations, and additions can be implemented for performing the same,similar, alternative, or substitute functions of the disclosed subjectmatter, and are therefore considered within the scope of thisdisclosure. Therefore, the disclosed subject matter should not belimited to any single embodiment described herein, but rather should beconstrued in breadth and scope in accordance with the claims below.

What is claimed is:
 1. A mobile device, comprising: a processor; and amemory that stores executable instructions that, when executed by theprocessor, facilitate performance of operations, comprising: receiving aquery from a radio access network device, the query requestinginformation associated with master/secondary cell group functionality ofthe mobile device; and transmitting an indicator that indicates whethersplit bearer functionality or bearer switching functionality issupported, wherein the indicator with a first value indicates that thesplit bearer functionality is supported in an uplink transmission andthe bearer switching functionality is supported in a downlinktransmission, the indicator with a second value indicates that the splitbearer functionality is supported in the downlink transmission and thebearer switching functionality is supported in the uplink transmission,the indicator with a third value indicates that the split bearerfunctionality is supported in both the uplink transmission and thedownlink transmission, the indicator with a fourth value indicates thatthe bearer switching functionality is supported in both the uplinktransmission and the downlink transmission, and the indicator with afifth value indicates that the bearer switching functionality and thesplit bearer functionality are supported in both the uplink transmissionand the downlink transmission.
 2. The mobile device of claim 1, whereinthe indicator is an integer bit.
 3. The mobile device of claim 1,wherein support for the split bearer functionality indicates that thebearer switching functionality is also supported.
 4. The mobile deviceof claim 1, wherein the query is received, and wherein the transmittingthe indicator comprises transmitting the indicator via radio resourcecontrol signaling.
 5. The mobile device of claim 4, wherein thetransmitting the indicator comprises transmitting the indicator withuser equipment capability information.
 6. The mobile device of claim 1,wherein the split bearer functionality indicates that a first datastreamreceived from a master base station device and a second datastreamreceived from a secondary base station device are configured to beaggregated.
 7. The mobile device of claim 1, wherein the bearerswitching functionality indicates that a stream is received from amaster base station device or a secondary base station device.
 8. Amethod, comprising: receiving, by a user equipment device comprising aprocessor, a query from a radio access network device, requestinginformation associated with secondary cell group functionality of theuser equipment device; and transmitting, by the user equipment device,an indicator that indicates whether split bearer or fast switching issupported, wherein the indicator with a first value indicates that splitbearer is supported in an uplink transmission and fast switching issupported in a downlink transmission, the indicator with a second valueindicates that split bearer is supported in the downlink transmissionand fast switching is supported in the uplink transmission, theindicator with a third value indicates that split bearer is supported inboth the uplink transmission and the downlink transmission, theindicator with a fourth value indicates that fast switching is supportedin both the uplink transmission and the downlink transmission, and theindicator with a fifth value indicates that fast switching and splitbearer are supported in both the uplink transmission and the downlinktransmission.
 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the indicator is aninteger bit.
 10. The method of claim 8, wherein the receiving the queryand transmitting the indicator are via radio resource control signaling.11. The method of claim 10, wherein the transmitting the indicatorcomprises transmitting the indicator with user equipment capabilityinformation.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the indicator comprisesa dedicated user equipment capability information element.
 13. Themethod of claim 8, wherein split bearer indicates that a firstdatastream received from a master radio access network device is able tobe aggregated with a second datastream received from a secondary radioaccess network device.
 14. The method of claim 8, wherein fast switchingindicates that a stream is received from either a master radio accessnetwork device or a secondary radio access network device.
 15. Amachine-readable storage medium, comprising executable instructionsthat, when executed by a processor of a device, facilitate performanceof operations, comprising: transmitting a query to a user equipmentdevice requesting information associated with secondary cell groupfunctionality of the user equipment device; and receiving an indicatorthat indicates whether a split aggregate functionality or a fastswitching functionality is supported by the user equipment device,wherein the indicator is from a group of indicators, the groupcomprising a first indicator with a first value that indicates thatsplit bearer is supported in an uplink transmission and fast switchingis supported in a downlink transmission, a second indicator with asecond value that indicates that split bearer is supported in thedownlink transmission and fast switching is supported in the uplinktransmission, a third indicator with a third value that indicates thatsplit bearer is supported in both the uplink transmission and thedownlink transmission, a fourth indicator with a fourth value thatindicates that fast switching is supported in both the uplinktransmission and the downlink transmission, and a fifth indicator with afifth value that indicates that fast switching and split bearer aresupported in both the uplink transmission and the downlink transmission.16. The machine-readable storage medium of claim 15, wherein theindicator is an integer bit.
 17. The machine-readable storage medium ofclaim 16, wherein the operations further comprise: transmitting thequery via radio resource control signaling.
 18. The machine-readablestorage medium of claim 17, wherein the operations further comprise:receiving the indicator via user equipment capability informationreceived from the user equipment device during radio resource controlsignaling.
 19. The machine-readable storage medium of claim 17, whereinsupport for the split bearer functionality indicates that the bearerswitching functionality is also supported.
 20. The machine-readablestorage medium of claim 15, wherein the transmitting the query is inresponse to registration of the user equipment device.